"Just a second while I put this little paint pony of mine over with the others. Old boy--you sure had some journey to-day!" and the Kid rubbed the horse's nose. "Stood up well, too. To-morrow I'll give you a big feed--what you need now is rest--like me. Well, boys, guess I'll turn in." "You'll what?" "You will not--not until we hear what happened!" "He'll turn in--well for the love of Pete!" "All right boys--all right!" the Kid laughed. "Seems you want to hear something about my trip, hey? Well, to start from the beginning, the day dawned clear an' bright. The wind was ticklin' my ears as I rode----" "Cut it out!" "Let's have the story, you locoed dust-raiser!" "All right, we'll cut the kiddin'. Tell you what really happened. I found the water hole where I thought it would be, and I found something else, too. There was a horse standin' near it, and by the side of the horse was a Chink--on his hands an' knees, crawlin' around on the ground. Thinks I, here's a crazy man. So I rides up slow, and when I got up close I asks he Chink what he's lookin' for. He don't pay no attention to me whatever. I gets off my horse and says it again. Then the crazy Chink looks up at me and says "Chock Gee." That's all. Just "Chock Gee." Me, not knowin' Chinese, I can't tell what he's after. But I see it won't do no good to insist on knowin' so I starts to help him up, thinking maybe he's hurt. Soon as I touched him, what does the crazy Chink do but jump like a cat for his saddle, give my paint a terrible crack with his quirt, and set off like a scared rabbit, my pony after him, leavin' me stranded, high an' dry!" The Kid looked at his eager listeners and grinned. "That new pony of mine--she's sure got some speed. She was out of sight in two seconds. An' then, boys--I had to depend on the ole legs! So I went huntin' for her. Caught her about four miles from where her an' me parted company. Then I went huntin' for you-all, but you was nowheres to be found. And from then 'til now, I was ridin' around, lookin' for you." "And the Chink--what happened to him?" "Blessed if I know! But if I ever see him again I'll give him something to remember me by." "So that's where you were all that time! We thought you'd been blown to Dallas on a cyclone. Anyway, we're glad you're back. Reckon you could stand a little sleep, eh?" Bud said. "You bet. I'll sling my blanket down by you, Dick, and we'll get started for Roarin' River as early as possible. It's still a good ways ahead. Good night, boys!" "Hey, you men!" From the darkness came a sudden voice. All five turned swiftly, five hands reaching for revolvers together. Into the firelight rode a tall horseman. "Hey, boys!" he called again. "Any of you see a Chink wanderin' around here?" CHAPTER IV THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.